Connor’s Erg Challenge

Connor’s Erg Challenge 2018 hosted by the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation and the Men and Women's Crew Teams

Stanford vs. Wisconsin 100 km Erg Challenge

The team who pulls the fastest 100 km wins bragging rights and the Connor Cup. The runner up goes home with a warm fuzzy feeling that they supported brain cancer matters.

Fifty percent of funds raised by the Stanford University Rowing team will support Dr. Monje’s DIPG Research within the Department of Neurology at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, headed by Dr. Fisher. The remaining supports various brain matters projects within the U.S.

A live feed of the event will be available via rcdfoundation.org/erg-challenge. To learn more, visit rcdfoundation.org.

Connor’s Story

Connor was Wisconsin born (1994) but Australian raised (2000-2013). Apart from academics which he easily excelled at, his passion was rowing. He began rowing at 14 as a student at Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne Australia. He took the PSAT in year 10 and became a member of the National Society of High School Scholars for scoring over 200. He applied to two schools to receive further information—Wisconsin and Stanford. He was invited to attend Stanford summer school and received his invitation the day before his surgery. At nearly 6’3” he had the raw strength and mentally, was not only bright but extremely strong. He was determined to attend & row for one of these schools, until brain cancer robbed him of the opportunity to even try.

Fundraising For Brain Matters

Pediatric brain cancer is the #2 cancer killer of children in the U.S. and #1 in Australia. It is on the verge of exciting research breakthroughs but falls short of funding required. If you, or someone you know has been affected by this deadly disease, please consider donating to this important cause.